Ben Affleckhttp://www.businessinsider.com/category/ben-affleck
en-usFri, 09 Dec 2016 10:52:13 -0500Fri, 09 Dec 2016 10:52:13 -0500The latest news on Ben Affleck from Business Insiderhttp://static3.businessinsider.com/assets/images/bilogo-250x36-wide-rev.pngBusiness Insiderhttp://www.businessinsider.com
http://www.businessinsider.com/live-by-night-trailer-ben-affleck-oscar-worthy-gangster-drama-2016-11Ben Affleck enters the Oscar race in the trailer for gangster movie 'Live By Night'http://www.businessinsider.com/live-by-night-trailer-ben-affleck-oscar-worthy-gangster-drama-2016-11
Fri, 11 Nov 2016 14:54:01 -0500Zack Sharf
<p><span><img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/5826132b691e888d008b6489-1585/ben%20affleck%20live%20by%20night.png" alt="ben affleck live by night" data-mce-source="Warner Bros." data-mce-caption="&amp;quotLive By Night.&amp;quot">One of the last remaining questions marks in the 2017 Oscar race, </span><a href="http://www.indiewire.com/t/ben-affleck/" data-tag="ben-affleck">Ben Affleck</a><span>’s “</span><a href="http://www.indiewire.com/t/live-by-night/" data-tag="live-by-night">Live By Night</a><span>” arrives in theaters for an awards-qualifying run this Christmas, three years after “Argo” took home Best Picture. </span></p>
<p><span>Affleck was famously snubbed for Best Director that year, and all eyes are watching his new film very closely to see if it can get him that elusive first directing Oscar nomination. All the ingredients for a powerhouse drama are certainly there, especially since it finds the actor-director adapting Dennis Lehane for the first time since “Gone Baby Gone,” arguably his best film.</span></p>
<p>Based on Lehane’s 2012 novel of the same name, “Live By Night” follows the rags-to-riches odyssey of gangster Joe Coughlin (Affleck). The son of a Boston cop, Coughlin finds himself pulled to the dark side as he takes to the criminal underworld in Florida and thrives in a new life of organized crime, rising from bootlegger to notorious gangster. The star-studded ensemble includes Sienna Miller, Elle Fanning, Zoe Saldana, Brendan Gleeson and Chris Cooper.</p>
<p>While the source material and Affleck’s involvement is certainly drawing interest, the new trailer hints that the real star here is probably cinematographer Robert Richardson. The longtime DP for Quentin Tarantino looks to be in top form, and at the very least “Live By Night” will be a show-stopper when it comes to visuals.</p>
<p>Warner Brothers will release “Live By Night” in select theaters December 25.</p>
<p><strong>Watch the official trailer.</strong></p>
<p><strong><div>
<iframe width="800" height="380" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ClcQUlXcCKw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></strong></p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/matt-damon-beats-ben-affleck-chart-2016-8" >Why Matt Damon beats Ben Affleck in one chart</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/live-by-night-trailer-ben-affleck-oscar-worthy-gangster-drama-2016-11#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/dermatologist-best-way-wash-your-face-2016-11">The 3 worst things you do when you wash your face — according to a dermatologist</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/the-accountant-dominates-box-office-with-25-million-haul-2016-10Ben Affleck's 'The Accountant' dominates box office with $25 million haulhttp://www.businessinsider.com/the-accountant-dominates-box-office-with-25-million-haul-2016-10
Sun, 16 Oct 2016 21:32:00 -0400Dave McNary
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/580429aac524022f068b4993-728/ben-affleck-delves-into-intricacies-of-autism-for-accountant-role.jpg" alt="Cast member Ben Affleck poses at the premiere of " data-mce-source="Thomson Reuters" data-mce-caption="Cast member Affleck poses at the premiere of &amp;quotThe Accountant&amp;quot at the TCL Chinese theatre in Hollywood" /></p><p>Underlining Ben Affleck's star power, "The Accountant" dominated moviegoing with a solid $24.7 million opening weekend at 3,222 North American sites.</p>
<p>Sunday's estimate came in significantly above expectations, which had ranged from $18 million to $20 million at the start of the weekend.</p>
<p>Comedy concert film "Kevin Hart: What Now?" delivered about half of "The Accountant" total with $12 million at 2,568 locations. But the debut of sci-fi adventure "Max Steel" was ignored by moviegoers with $2.1 million at 2,034 screens for a dismal $1,049 per-screen average.</p>
<p>Warner Bros.' "The Accountant" took in $200,000 more than last weekend's winner, "The Girl on the Train," which opened with $24.5 million. The Emily Blunt thriller finished in a tie for second with"Kevin Hart: What Now?"</p>
<p>"The Accountant" carries a moderate $40 million price tag with Affleck portraying an autistic math savant and weapons expert who cooks the books for criminal organizations. Gavin O'Connor directs from a script by Bill Dubuque. Anna Kendrick, J.K. Simmons, Jon Bernthal, Jeffrey Tambor and John Lithgow also star. Prospects for holdover business are decent with an A CinemaScore, particularly with 86% of customers over 25.</p>
<p>"The Accountant" opened quietly in 10 international markets with $2.8 million from 1,190 screens, led by $755,000 at 109 sites in Taiwan. It will open next weekend in Brazil, Germany and Spain.</p>
<p>Warner-based Affleck has a strong track record in dramas with 2010's "The Town," which grossed $154 million worldwide; 2012's Best Picture Oscar winner "Argo," with $232 million worldwide; and 2014's "Gone Girl," with $369 million worldwide. His Prohibition-era crime drama "Live by Night" opens on Christmas and he'll return as Batman in "Justice League" on Nov. 17, 2017.</p>
<p>"Kevin Hart: What Now?" is a look at the final performance of his most recent comedy tour, filmed in August, 2015, at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field -- and book-ended by James Bond-style spoof sequences in which Hart teams with Halle Berry as his loyal but dismissive associate. Leslie Small and Tim Story directed.</p>
<p>The concert film is already a money-maker with production costs under $10 million. Hart's a proven performer in this genre with 2013's "Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain" having grossed $32 million domestically.</p>
<p>Open Road is handling "Max Steel," based on Mattel's line of action figures and starring Ben Winchell of MTV's "Finding Carter." The film, produced focuses on the teenage Max McGrath and alien companion Steel, who evolve into the superhero Max Steel.</p>
<p>Fox's third weekend of "Miss Perregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" finished fourth with $8.9 million at 3,538 locations, giving the Tim Burton fantasy $65.8 million after 17 days. Liosngate's third frame of Mark Wahlberg disaster drama "Deepwater Horizon" followed in fifth with $6.4 million at 3,403 sites for a $49.3 million domestic total.</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/the-accountant-dominates-box-office-with-25-million-haul-2016-10#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-cook-scrambled-eggs-anthony-bourdain-2016-11">The best way to cook scrambled eggs — according to Anthony Bourdain</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/ben-afflecks-the-accountant-dominated-the-box-office-this-weekend-2016-10Ben Affleck's 'The Accountant' dominated the box office this weekendhttp://www.businessinsider.com/ben-afflecks-the-accountant-dominated-the-box-office-this-weekend-2016-10
Sun, 16 Oct 2016 11:07:08 -0400Dave McNary
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/56d88c106e97c62f008bb455-910/gettyimages-513020044.jpg" alt="ben affleck" data-mce-source="Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images" /></p><p>Underlining Ben Affleck's star power, "The Accountant" dominated moviegoing with a solid $24.7 million opening weekend at 3,222 North American sites.</p>
<p>Sunday's estimate came in significantly above expectations, which had ranged from $18 million to $20 million at the start of the weekend.</p>
<p>Comedy concert film "Kevin Hart: What Now?" delivered about half of "The Accountant" total with $12 million at 2,568 locations. But the debut of sci-fi adventure "Max Steel" was ignored by moviegoers with $2.1 million at 2,034 screens for a dismal $1,049 per-screen average.</p>
<p>Warner Bros.' "The Accountant" took in $200,000 more than last weekend's winner, "The Girl on the Train," which opened with $24.5 million. The Emily Blunt thriller finished in a tie for second with"Kevin Hart: What Now?"</p>
<p>"The Accountant" carries a moderate $40 million price tag with Affleck portraying an autistic math savant and weapons expert who cooks the books for criminal organizations. Gavin O'Connor directs from a script by Bill Dubuque. Anna Kendrick, J.K. Simmons, Jon Bernthal, Jeffrey Tambor and John Lithgow also star. Prospects for holdover business are decent with an A CinemaScore, particularly with 86% of customers over 25.</p>
<p>"The Accountant" opened quietly in 10 interational markets with $2.8 million from 1,190 screens, led by $755,000 at 109 sites in Taiwan. It will open next weekend in Brazil, Germany and Spain.</p>
<p>Warner-based Affleck has a strong track record in dramas with 2010's "The Town," which grossed $154 million worldwide; 2012's Best Picture Oscar winner "Argo," with $232 million worldwide; and 2014's "Gone Girl," with $369 million worldwide. His Prohibition-era crime drama "Live by Night" opens on Christmas and he'll return as Batman in "Justice League" on Nov. 17, 2017.</p>
<p><img class="float_left" src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/575f16a39105842b008c8a54-1600/the town.jpg" alt="The Town" data-mce-source="Warner Bros." /></p>
<p>"Kevin Hart: What Now?" is a look at the final performance of his most recent comedy tour, filmed in August, 2015, at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field -- and book-ended by James Bond-style spoof sequences in which Hart teams with Halle Berry as his loyal but dismissive associate. Leslie Small and Tim Story directed.</p>
<p>The concert film is already a money-maker with production costs under $10 million. Hart's a proven performer in this genre with 2013's "Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain" having grossed $32 million domestically.</p>
<p>Open Road is handling "Max Steel," based on Mattel's line of action figures and starring Ben Winchell of MTV's "Finding Carter." The film, produced focuses on the teenage Max McGrath and alien companion Steel, who evolve into the superhero Max Steel.</p>
<p>Fox's third weekend of "Miss Perregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" finished fourth with $8.9 million at 3,538 locations, giving the Tim Burton fantasy $65.8 million after 17 days. Liosngate's third frame of Mark Wahlberg disaster drama "Deepwater Horizon" followed in fifth with $6.4 million at 3,403 sites for a $49.3 million domestic total.</p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/best-movies-of-2016-you-havent-seen-2016-10" >The 17 best movies of 2016 you haven't seen yet</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/ben-afflecks-the-accountant-dominated-the-box-office-this-weekend-2016-10#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/disney-final-trailer-star-wars-movie-rogue-one-2016-10">Darth Vader appears in Disney's final trailer for the new 'Star Wars' movie 'Rogue One'</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/ben-affleck-not-a-fan-of-pats-losing-to-rex-ryan-2016-10Ben Affleck had a fantastic reaction to finding out the Patriots were losing to Rex Ryan and the Buffalo Billshttp://www.businessinsider.com/ben-affleck-not-a-fan-of-pats-losing-to-rex-ryan-2016-10
Mon, 03 Oct 2016 20:25:00 -0400Cork Gaines
<p><img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/57f2f352d88724ab428b46b8-915/2016-10-03_19-04-15.png" alt="2016 10 03_19 04 15" data-mce-source="Twitter/SI_ExtraMustard" data-link="https://twitter.com/SI_ExtraMustard/status/782975022822555653"></p><p></p>
<p>Noted Bostonian and New England Patriots fan Ben Affleck does not like it when the Patriots lose, especially to a Rex Ryan-led team, and we got a glimpse at how soul-crushing that can be in the video below.</p>
<p>Affleck is currently doing the press rounds for his upcoming movie "The Accountant," in which he sits in a room and reporter after reporter take turns coming into the room for 5-10 minutes or so, try not to ask the same questions as everybody else, but end up doing so anyway.</p>
<p>Needless to say, it can probably be an exhaustive experience for the actors, especially if the sessions are scheduled for a Sunday afternoon during the NFL season and you happen to be a sports fan.</p>
<p>When it was Tiffany Oshinsky of Sports Illustrated's turn, Affleck saw it as an opportunity to get an update on the Patriots-Bills game. </p>
<p>When Affleck finds out the Pats are losing 16-0 in the fourth quarter, a pained look comes over his face and he simply says, "In the fourth?! ... Rex Ryan? ... F***."</p>
<p>Here is the video, <a href="https://twitter.com/SI_ExtraMustard/status/782975022822555653" target="_blank">via Sports Illustrated</a>.</p>
<p><div>
<blockquote class="twitter-video" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">We had to break the news of the Patriots’ loss to Ben Affleck yesterday. <a href="https://t.co/CUeZLPMXKu">pic.twitter.com/CUeZLPMXKu</a></p>— SI Extra Mustard (@SI_ExtraMustard) <a href="https://twitter.com/SI_ExtraMustard/status/782975022822555653">October 3, 2016</a>
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<p> </p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/ben-affleck-not-a-fan-of-pats-losing-to-rex-ryan-2016-10#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/lebron-james-eats-diet-workout-routine-cleveland-nba-basketball-2016-11">Here's the diet and workout routine LeBron James uses to stay in insane shape</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/ben-affleck-batman-movie-title-2016-10Ben Affleck just revealed the title for his highly anticipated Batman moviehttp://www.businessinsider.com/ben-affleck-batman-movie-title-2016-10
Mon, 03 Oct 2016 11:17:50 -0400Jason Guerrasio
<p><img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/57f266aa11c8e7ae2d8b49ec-1200/batman-v-superman.png" alt="batman v superman" data-mce-source="Warner Bros."></p><p>Ben Affleck has given us a critical detail about his upcoming standalone Batman movie: the title.</p>
<p>"The movie I think is going to be called ‘The Batman,’" Affleck told the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXyb3dAQGoI" target="_blank">Associated Press</a> during the press junket for "The Accountant" (opening October 13). "At least that’s what we’re going with right now. I might change it… That’s about all I got right now. We’re working on the script, the script is going well, I’m really excited about it.”</p>
<p>Not much is known about "The Batman" project, for which Affleck will return as The Dark Knight after playing the character in "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" (and providing a cameo for "Suicide Squad"). He is also directing the Batman movie and writing the screenplay.</p>
<p>The only other piece of info that's been revealed about the movie from Warner Bros., which currently has no release date, is that Joe Manganiello ("Magic Mike," "True Blood") will be playing <a href="http://www.thewrap.com/joe-manganiello-to-play-deathstroke-in-ben-afflecks-batman-film/" target="_blank">the villain Deathstroke</a> in the movie.</p>
<p>A source told Business Insider that "The Batman" is the working title for the project.</p>
<p>Watch the AP video in which Affleck reveals the title here:</p>
<p><div>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/SXyb3dAQGoI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/westworld-episode-analysis-2016-9" >2 hidden details you probably missed in the first episode of "Westworld"</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/ben-affleck-batman-movie-title-2016-10#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/sony-marvel-spider-man-homecoming-trailer-looks-incredible-2016-12">Sony and Marvel just dropped the first new 'Spider-Man' trailer and it looks amazing</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/deathstroke-solo-batman-movie-2016-8Ben Affleck just teased who the villain is going to be in the next 'Batman' moviehttp://www.businessinsider.com/deathstroke-solo-batman-movie-2016-8
Mon, 29 Aug 2016 13:10:00 -0400James Grebey
<p><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/57c461bbdd0895ec3d8b4a92-1800/batman%20deathstroke.png" alt="Batman Deathstroke" data-mce-source="DC/Warner Bros."></p><p></p>
<p>We might know who Batman's going to have to put back in Arkham in the next Dark Knight solo movie. </p>
<p>Ben Affleck, who played the Caped Crusader in "Batman v Superman" and "Suicide Squad," posted <a href="https://twitter.com/BenAffleck/status/770259217940746245">a video on Twitter</a> that appears to reveal who he'll be facing off with in the standalone movie he's directing and starring in — and it's a bit unexpected. </p>
<p>It's not <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/jared-leto-joker-scenes-cut-from-suicide-squad-2016-8">Jared Leto's Joker</a>, or even one of Batman's many other famous rogues. It's Deathstroke. </p>
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<a href="https://t.co/0NsNzCtGip">https://t.co/0NsNzCtGip</a> </p>— Ben Affleck (@BenAffleck) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/770259217940746245">August 29, 2016</a>
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<p><a href="http://www.thewrap.com/deathstroke-will-be-main-villain-in-ben-afflecks-batman-movie-exclusive/">The Wrap</a> is reporting that the orange and black clad supervillain will indeed be the bad guy in the Batman movie, which doesn't have a release date yet. But who is he?</p>
<p>Deathstroke the Terminator, as he was originally known until <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088247/">a more famous Terminator</a> prompted DC Comics to quietly do away with the second half of his name, was created by <span>Marv Wolfman and George Perez</span> in 1980, and made his first appearance in a Teen Titans comic. </p>
<p>While Deathstroke, whose real name is Slade Wilson, started out as a Teen Titans villain, the one-eyed, physically enhanced, genius assassin quickly rose through the ranks and became a top-tier supervillain. He's fought with Green Arrow, Batman, and even the Justice League on several occasions, and is an extremely dangerous threat every time.</p>
<p><img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/57c461bbdd0895ec3d8b4a93-1920/deathstroke.jpg" alt="Deathstroke" data-mce-source="DC Comics"></p>
<p>Deathstroke has been the star of his own series of comics and was a major villain in the old "Teen Titans" cartoon. He also appeared in early seasons of the popular CW TV show "Arrow," but fans began to suspect he might make his way to the cinematic universe when the show's creator, Marc Guggenheim, said <a href="http://www.cinemablend.com/television/Deathstroke-Probably-Isn-t-Returning-Arrow-He-Happy-About-It-71116.html">he wouldn't be coming back because he thought Warner Bros. had bigger plans for Deathstroke</a>. </p>
<p>Like, say, going toe-to-toe with the hero who beat Superman on the big screen?</p>
<p><div>
<div class="tumblr-post" data-href="https://embed.tumblr.com/embed/post/dJEFbKW63vxPcpiMT-fLuA/138822740099" data-did="da39a3ee5e6b4b0d3255bfef95601890afd80709"><a href="http://marcguggenheim.tumblr.com/post/138822740099/any-possible-chance-of-either-slade-or-walter">http://marcguggenheim.tumblr.com/post/138822740099/any-possible-chance-of-either-slade-or-walter</a></div> <script async src="https://secure.assets.tumblr.com/post.js"></script>
</div></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/deathstroke-solo-batman-movie-2016-8#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/lego-batman-movie-trailer-2016-7">The trailer for the 'LEGO Batman' movie makes us more excited for it than any other Batman movie</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/matt-damon-beats-ben-affleck-chart-2016-8Why Matt Damon beats Ben Affleck in one charthttp://www.businessinsider.com/matt-damon-beats-ben-affleck-chart-2016-8
Fri, 19 Aug 2016 12:57:21 -0400Gus Lubin
<p>Matt Damon acts in better and more popular movies than his buddy Ben Affleck.</p>
<p>This new chart from <a href="http://public.tableau.com/profile/rody.zakovich#!/" target="_blank">Rody Zakovich</a> says it all:</p>
<p><div>
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<p>To be fair, Ben Affleck is now a star director, too.</p>
<p> </p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/heres-the-reason-matt-damon-barely-talks-in-his-bourne-movies-2016-7" >Why Matt Damon barely talks in the Bourne movies</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/matt-damon-beats-ben-affleck-chart-2016-8#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/watch-mysterious-trailer-new-transformers-movie-optimus-prime-mark-wahlberg-2016-12">Watch the mysterious trailer for the new Transformers movie that could change everything you know about Optimus Prime</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/matt-damon-open-to-writing-another-movie-with-ben-affleck-2016-7Matt Damon on writing another movie with Ben Affleck: 'Never say never'http://www.businessinsider.com/matt-damon-open-to-writing-another-movie-with-ben-affleck-2016-7
Wed, 20 Jul 2016 15:57:55 -0400Meryl Gottlieb
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/578fd10088e4a78c148b983c-2400/ap_235341865208.jpg" alt="Matt Damon Ben Affleck" data-mce-source="Victoria Will and Charles Sykes (inset)/ AP" /></p><p>Matt Damon and Ben Affleck have been best friends for decades, but the duo has only managed to write one film together.</p>
<p>That film was the critically acclaimed "Good Will Hunting," which won Damon and Affleck an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay and launched their careers.</p>
<p>So it's not exactly an easy thing to follow.</p>
<p>But in an <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/4tnhf2/i_am_matt_damon_ask_me_anything/">Ask Me Anything</a> on Reddit, Damon said it hasn't been plausible for quite some time.</p>
<p>"<span>The big issue is time for us," he said.&nbsp;"We have a company together so we work on a lot of projects together, but to try to carve out the time is really tough. I mean we both have a whole mess of kids now, and these other days jobs. He's directing all the time and I'm off working with these other directors."</span></p>
<p><span>He also noted that the now A-list stars were unemployed while writing "Good Will Hunting" and weren't on any sort of deadline.&nbsp;</span><span>But Damon offered a glimmer of hope for those waiting for another Affleck-Damon screenplay.</span></p>
<p><span>"<span>So I would never say never because I would absolutely love to write with Ben again, and I'd love to collaborate with him on anything, he's brilliant," he said.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>Of course, that would mean Affleck would have to stop giving himself the best roles in his films, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/matt-damon-says-hell-do-a-superhero-if-ben-affleck-directs-2016-7">Damon joked about once again</a>.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>You can read the <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/4tnhf2/i_am_matt_damon_ask_me_anything/">full AMA over on Reddit,</a>&nbsp;in which Damon says&nbsp;Julia Stiles&nbsp;smells like "happiness" and that he "never quite understood" his "cameo" in Trey Parker and Matt Stone's "Team America."</span></span></p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/heres-the-reason-matt-damon-barely-talks-in-his-bourne-movies-2016-7" >Here's the reason Matt Damon barely talks in his 'Bourne' movies</a></strong></p>
<p><strong>DON'T MISS:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/matt-damon-says-hell-do-a-superhero-if-ben-affleck-directs-2016-7" >Matt Damon says he'll do a superhero movie but only on one condition</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/matt-damon-open-to-writing-another-movie-with-ben-affleck-2016-7#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/most-realistic-movie-psychopath-2016-12">Psychiatrists studied 400 movies to find the most realistic psychopath</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/matt-damon-says-hell-do-a-superhero-if-ben-affleck-directs-2016-7Matt Damon says he'll do a superhero movie but only on one conditionhttp://www.businessinsider.com/matt-damon-says-hell-do-a-superhero-if-ben-affleck-directs-2016-7
Thu, 14 Jul 2016 09:04:40 -0400Meryl Gottlieb
<p><img style="float:right;" style="float: right;" src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/5786662e88e4a71b008b7c6e-2400/matt damon and ben affleck.jpg" alt="Matt Damon and Ben Affleck" data-mce-source="Juan Naharro Gimenez and Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images" /></p><p>Matt Damon might consider swapping his Jason Bourne persona for one that comes with a cape and superpowers, but only under one circumstance.</p>
<p>His good friend Ben Affleck has to direct.</p>
<p>"<span>If he was directing me, I&rsquo;d jump on it in a New York minute. I&rsquo;d love to work with Ben," Damon told <a href="http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/entertainment/matt-damon-i-would-play-a-superhero-if-ben-affleck-directed-me-744315.html">The Irish Examiner</a>. </span></p>
<p><span><span>But he knows that won't happen easily.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>"The problem with Ben is every time he directs a movie, he gives himself the best role in it, so until he&rsquo;s willing to give up the best role to one of his friends, we&rsquo;re not going to get on with it," Damon said.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>Affleck just starred as Batman in "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice," which had an uneasy reception. But just because Affleck and Damon are partners in crime in real life doesn't mean Damon will show up as the Robin to Affleck's Batman. The Examiner said he laughed at the suggestion.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>There aren't many major superheroes left to play, Damon, so you might want to reconsider.</span></span></p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/the-hulk-killed-by-hawkeye-in-marvels-civil-war-ii-comic-2016-7" >A major Marvel comic book character was killed by another superhero today</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/matt-damon-says-hell-do-a-superhero-if-ben-affleck-directs-2016-7#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/special-effects-in-the-martian-2016-4">How special effects made you believe that Matt Damon was actually stranded on Mars in 'The Martian'</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-win-money-watching-the-runner-2016-7Here's how you can win money while watching Ben Affleck and Matt Damon's new web series, 'The Runner'http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-win-money-watching-the-runner-2016-7
Fri, 01 Jul 2016 14:48:42 -0400Jethro Nededog
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/5776b5e988e4a71b008b591e-880/the%20runner%20ben%20affleck%20matt%20damon%20go90%20getty.jpg" alt="the runner ben affleck matt damon go90 getty" data-mce-source="Getty Images, go90"></p><p>Oscar winners Ben Affleck and Matt Damon executive produced a unique interactive web series for go90 called <a href="https://www.go90.com/a/d5mej2eeAzI">"The Runner,"</a> which plans to award at least $1 million in prizes over the next 30 days.</p>
<p>On the series, one person is chosen to be the runner. He or she has to arrive at six checkpoints across the US in order to collect as much as $500,000.</p>
<p>There are also five chase teams on his tail. So if the runner gets caught, he goes home with zip.</p>
<p>The chase teams will get daily clues as to the runner's location. Each day that the runner eludes them, the bounty increases by $15,000.</p>
<p><strong>Here's the trailer:</strong></p>
<p><div>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/kQt90iKs-a4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/netflixs-tony-robbins-i-am-not-your-guru-trailer-2016-6" >Tony Robbins is a self-help rock star in the trailer for this Netflix movie</a></strong></p>
<p><strong>DON'T MISS:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/mtvs-jillian-rose-reeds-kickstarter-for-elevator-stories-2015-9" >An MTV star created a Kickstarter campaign for a web series about women falling in love in an elevator</a></strong></p>
<p><p>Here's where the viewers come in. There are three ways to get a chance to win some money.</p>
<p><strong>1. America's Cash Task (ACT)</strong>&nbsp;&mdash; Viewers solve twice-daily puzzles within an hour after clues air live on go90. The viewers' answers help the chase teams close in on the runner. In order to participate in this, viewers have to&nbsp;register at <a href="https://secure.cataboom.com/direct/the-runner-clue-submission-2">https://therunner.go90.com/</a>.</p>
<p><strong>2. Chaser Cash</strong> &mdash; All viewers have to do is support their favorite chase teams on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/therunnergo90/?fref=ts">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://t.sidekickopen06.com/e1t/c/5/f18dQhb0S7lC8dDMPbW2n0x6l2B9nMJW7t5XX48rBGzTW8qm3BM5vwsYlVdVcBC56dvXDdXpsSv02?t=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2Ftherunnergo90&amp;si=4775172509270016&amp;pi=487b01cf-367a-4a78-b626-f2c2725e68d0">Twitter</a>, and <a href="http://t.sidekickopen06.com/e1t/c/5/f18dQhb0S7lC8dDMPbW2n0x6l2B9nMJW7t5XX48rBGzTW8qm3BM5vwsYlVdVcBC56dvXDdXpsSv02?t=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Ftherunnergo90%2F&amp;si=4775172509270016&amp;pi=487b01cf-367a-4a78-b626-f2c2725e68d0">Instagram</a>. In turn, they may reward you. Each chase team has $1,000 to award each day. Over the course of the series, that can reach as much as $150,00o in chaser cash.</p>
<p>Here are the teams/hashtags:</p>
<ol>
<li><span>#BravoSquare</span></li>
<li><span>#TheBrogrammers</span></li>
<li><span>#SweetNSavage</span></li>
<li><span>#BrotherNature</span></li>
<li><span>#FriendZone</span></li>
</ol>
<p><strong>3. The Social MVP</strong> &mdash;<strong>&nbsp;</strong>The most active viewers over the entire month could win a $20,000, $10,000, $5,000, or $1,000 prize.</p></p>
<br/><br/><p><p>The first episode of "The Runner" is up and <a href="https://www.go90.com/a/d5mej2eeAzI">ready to watch at go90</a>.</p>
<p>The network&nbsp;also boiled down the prize rules into a short video, which you'll see first at Business Insider.</p>
<p><strong>Watch it below:</strong></p>
<p><biembeddedobject id="ae931ac5-309b-4f41-b912-817f3f938d58" class="raw">RAW Embed</biembeddedobject></p></p>
<br/><br/><a href="/category/features">See the rest of the story at Business Insider</a> http://www.businessinsider.com/ben-affleck-talks-to-bill-simmons-2016-6Ben Affleck reveals the lowest point in his entire career on Bill Simmons' new showhttp://www.businessinsider.com/ben-affleck-talks-to-bill-simmons-2016-6
Thu, 23 Jun 2016 10:48:59 -0400Jason Guerrasio
<p><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/576bf1389105841c008caff9-960/ben%20affleck%20bill%20%202.jpg" alt="ben affleck bill 2" data-mce-source="HBO"></p><p>Bill Simmons’ highly anticipated HBO show, “Any Given Wednesday with Bill Simmons,” premiered on Wednesday night with some big-name gets to kick off the series.</p>
<p>First, Simmons and Charles Barkley went back and forth comparing current pro basketball to the era Barkley played in.</p>
<p>Then Simmons had a conversation with Ben Affleck. Affleck rarely does these kinds of interviews anymore. But it’s obvious Affleck agreed because he and Simmons are huge fans of Boston sports. So Affleck had no trouble venting on the whole <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/ben-affleck-epic-deflategate-rantbill-simmons-hbo-show-2016-6?r=UK&amp;IR=T">“Deflategate” controversy</a>, which has landed New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady a four-game suspension to start the 2016 NFL season after <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/tom-bradys-deflategate-suspension-reinstated-2016-4">losing an appeal</a> in April. </p>
<p>But Simmons also touched on Affleck’s recent comeback to major stardom, with a best picture Oscar win for the movie he directed and starred in, “Argo,” and playing the new Batman in "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" and the upcoming "Justice League" movie. (He will also show up as the Dark Knight later this summer in "Suicide Squad.")</p>
<p>Affleck said the move to the director chair, which started with the acclaimed “Gone Baby Gone” in 2007, was inspired by the hits he took after being the center of a tabloid-crazed relationship with Jennifer Lopez and suffering box-office disappointments. But it took a jab from a comic to make Affleck realize how down and out he was.</p>
<p>“I was the lowest rung of cool and talented that you could possibly be in the public consciousness at that time,” Affleck told Simmons. “I was so uncool that I was literally a punchline of the stand-up act on United Airlines performed by, what’s the name of the dude who was in ‘Bull Durham’?”</p>
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/576bf16e91058423008cb07b-1996/robert%20wuhl%20ilya%20s%20savenok%20getty.jpg" alt="Robert Wuhl Ilya S Savenok Getty" data-mce-source="Ilya S. Savenok/Getty">He’s referring to <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0943237/?ref_=nv_sr_1" target="_blank">Robert Wuhl</a>, a comic who is best known for starring in movies like “Bull Durham” and the Michael Keaton-era “Batman,” as well as the HBO series “Arliss.”</p>
<p>“I was a punch line in Arliss’ straight-to-United Airlines video-stand-up bit,” Affleck said. “So that guy has to look around and go, 'Who is below me that I can s--- on?' And he picked me and did a whole bit that I saw on United Airlines once, and I was like, ‘That’s it, it really doesn’t get much worse than this.’ And that’s where I found myself when I thought 'Hey, I want to take up directing, which is for people that are taken seriously.'"</p>
<p>Affleck is likely referring to Wuhl’s 2006 short film “Assume the Position with Mr. Wuhl” (ironically, made by HBO Films), in which Wuhl comments on facts and myths in American history by basically doing a stand-up act in front of a college classroom.</p>
<p>Wuhl goes on a tangent at one point about the classic Western “<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056217/?ref_=nv_sr_2" target="_blank">The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance</a>,” which was directed by John Ford. Wuhl boasts that Ford won four Academy Awards, but noted:</p>
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/576bf1ad91058436008cb1be-1269/assume%20the%20position%20hbo%20veoh%20copy.jpg" alt="assume the position hbo veoh copy" data-mce-source="Veoh/HBO">“Not that Academy Awards are the be-all and end-all of everything. I mean Ben Affleck’s got a f------ Oscar for God’s sake ... Let’s put things in perspective a little bit here.” (<a href="http://www.veoh.com/m/watch.php?v=v16706342cB97DkDJ" target="_blank">Watch the joke at the 5:26 mark</a>.) </p>
<p>Wuhl was referring to Affleck's best-screenplay win with friend Matt Damon for their 1997 "Good Will Hunting" script.</p>
<p>Affleck has certainly taken that time in his life as motivation. His work as a director has found acclaim and now he’s reportedly working on a Batman standalone movie that he will write and direct.</p>
<p>Simmons even brought up the rumor that Affleck was offered to direct a “Star Wars” movie. And though Affleck didn’t admit he was, he didn’t deny it, either.</p>
<p>“It wouldn’t be polite to talk about the jobs you turn down," Affleck said. "But I had a lot of offers.”</p>
<p>Watch the complete first episode of "Any Given Wednesday" below:</p>
<p><div>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/jL0ouwGCnu4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/the-best-shows-on-tv-according-to-critics-2016-6" >These are the best shows on TV, according to critics</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/ben-affleck-talks-to-bill-simmons-2016-6#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/fans-ben-affleck-batman-2015-10">Fans tell us what they honestly think of Ben Affleck as the new Batman</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/ben-affleck-epic-deflategate-rantbill-simmons-hbo-show-2016-6Ben Affleck went on an epic Deflategate rant during the debut of Bill Simmons' new HBO showhttp://www.businessinsider.com/ben-affleck-epic-deflategate-rantbill-simmons-hbo-show-2016-6
Thu, 23 Jun 2016 09:42:00 -0400Cork Gaines
<p><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/576b57bb91058424008cafaf-800/2016-06-22_22-26-07.png" alt="Ben Affleck and Bill Simmons on the set of " data-mce-source="HBO" data-mce-caption="Ben Affleck and Bill Simmons on the set of &amp;quotAny Given Wednesday&amp;quot"></p><p></p>
<p>Bill Simmons' new HBO show, "Any Given Wednesday," got off to a raucous and entertaining start this week, unless you are one of the people who are sick and tired of the Deflategate scandal.</p>
<p>Simmons' second guest on the debut episode was fellow Bostonian Ben Affleck, and it didn't take long for nouveau Batman to morph into <span>Chuckie Sullivan of </span>"Good Will Hunting" when Simmons baited him with every Bostonian's favorite subject: Deflategate and the NFL's alleged conspiracy to ruin the reputation of one of its greatest assets, Tom Brady.</p>
<p>Among the highlights:</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">"Deflategate is the ultimate bulls--- f---ing outrage of sports ever. It's so f---ing stupid."</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">"What they did was suspend Tom Brady for four [games] for not giving them his f---ing cellphone and for having a friend who called himself 'The Deflator.' If I got in trouble for all the things my friends called themselves, I would be finished!"</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">"I would never give an organization as leak-prone as the NFL my f---ing cellphone, so you can just look through my emails and listen to my voicemails? ... So the first thing they are going to do is leak this s---."</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">"It's a f---ing ridiculous smear campaign."</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">"We haven't done anything to address this crisis in domestic violence in the NFL, but the f---ing football better not be 8% lighter, and if we find out it is, you're gone for four games!"</p>
<p>Here is the rant, which lasts close to five minutes. [WARNING: We lost count of the number of F-bombs dropped by Affleck. He's fired up. Oh man, is he fired up.]</p>
<p><div>
<iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/xzq5?hd=1" width="800" height="450" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen scrolling="no"></iframe>
</div></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/ben-affleck-epic-deflategate-rantbill-simmons-hbo-show-2016-6#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/countries-most-olympic-athletes-caught-doping-2016-11">New doping tests are stripping Olympians of their medals — here are the countries that dope the most</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/michael-bay-told-ben-affleck-to-shut-up-about-a-plot-hole-in-armageddon-2016-6Here's what happened when Ben Affleck asked 'Armageddon' director Michael Bay about a giant plot holehttp://www.businessinsider.com/michael-bay-told-ben-affleck-to-shut-up-about-a-plot-hole-in-armageddon-2016-6
Fri, 17 Jun 2016 16:56:00 -0400Jacob Shamsian
<p><img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/57642f12dd0895384c8b482e-960/ben%20affleck%20in%20armageddon.jpg" alt="ben affleck in armageddon" data-mce-source="Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures" data-mce-caption="Ben Affleck in &amp;quotArmageddon.&amp;quot"></p><p></p>
<p>Michael Bay's 1998 opus "Armageddon," about a team of drillers who fly to an asteroid to destroy it before it crashes into Earth, is a bad movie. It is so bad that <a href="http://www.ew.com/article/2013/04/22/michael-bay-apologizes-for-armageddon">Michael Bay apologized for it</a> (before <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/apr/24/michael-bay-no-apology-armageddon">apologizing for apologizing</a>). It is so bad that Ben Affleck, who stars in the movie, told Bay that the movie made no sense while they were filming the movie. Bay did not care.</p>
<p>In <a href="https://twitter.com/u_sylvie/status/742507648738721793">a clip from the DVD commentary track going viral on Twitter</a>, Affleck recalls that he asked Bay, "Why is it easier to train oil drillers to become astronauts than to train astronauts to become oil drillers?"</p>
<blockquote>
<p>He told me to shut the f--- up. So that was the end of that talk. He was like, 'You know, Ben. Just shut up, okay? This is the real [NASA] plan, alright?' I was like, 'You mean it's a real plan at NASA to train oil drillers?' He was like, 'Just shut your mouth!'</p>
<p>...Bruce is gonna tell the guys that they did a bad job at building the drill tank, because he's a salt-of-the-earth guy and the NASA 'nerdanauts' don't understand his salt-of-the-earth ways, his rough-and-tumble ways. Like somehow they can build rocket ships but they don't understand what makes a good [transmission].</p>
<p>Eight whole months? As if that's not enough time to learn how to drill a hole. But in one week we're gonna learn how to be astronauts.</p>
<p>...'They don't know jack about drilling'? How hard can it be? Aim the drill at the ground and turn it on!</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Here's the full clip:</p>
<p><div>
<blockquote class="twitter-video" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ben Affleck should do DVD commentaries more often. What a ledge. <a href="https://t.co/gQ3abVpcDu">pic.twitter.com/gQ3abVpcDu</a></p>— Sylvie. (@u_sylvie) <a href="https://twitter.com/u_sylvie/status/742507648738721793">June 14, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></p>
<p> </p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/michael-bay-told-ben-affleck-to-shut-up-about-a-plot-hole-in-armageddon-2016-6#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/sony-marvel-spider-man-homecoming-trailer-looks-incredible-2016-12">Sony and Marvel just dropped the first new 'Spider-Man' trailer and it looks amazing</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/the-accountant-trailer-ben-affleck-2016-5Ben Affleck is an assassin in the powerful trailer for 'The Accountant'http://www.businessinsider.com/the-accountant-trailer-ben-affleck-2016-5
Fri, 13 May 2016 09:51:55 -0400Jason Guerrasio
<p><img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/5735d70352bcd01a008c2abd-1554-777/the%20accountant%20wb%20final.jpg" alt="The Accountant WB final" data-mce-source="YouTube/Warner Bros."></p><p>Ben Affleck is taking off the Batman costume for his next movie, "The Accountant." </p>
<p>Directed by Gavin O'Connor, who is best known for his dramatic movies that meld family and sports like "Miracle" and "Warrior," this one takes a sharp right into the thriller genre. "The Accountant" follows Christian Wolff (Affleck), an accountant who is a math savant but also a deadly hired killer for criminal organizations.</p>
<p>The powerful trailer puts the focus on Wolff's distance from others because of his genius, which has been turned into a tool for the underworld.</p>
<p>Watch the trailer below. The movie opens October 14.</p>
<p><div>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/aNGhnNMSopI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/cannes-film-festival-red-carpet-photos-2016-5" >Hollywood's biggest stars are at the Cannes Film Festival — here are the glamorous photos</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/the-accountant-trailer-ben-affleck-2016-5#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/watch-mysterious-trailer-new-transformers-movie-optimus-prime-mark-wahlberg-2016-12">Watch the mysterious trailer for the new Transformers movie that could change everything you know about Optimus Prime</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/ben-affleck-direct-star-new-batman-movie-2016-4Ben Affleck will direct and star in a new 'Batman' moviehttp://www.businessinsider.com/ben-affleck-direct-star-new-batman-movie-2016-4
Wed, 13 Apr 2016 05:26:35 -0400Lindsey Bahr
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/56fd33a352bcd020008b9d3e-1307-980/affleck.jpeg" alt="ben affleck batman v superman" data-mce-source="Warner Bros." /></p><p>LAS VEGAS (AP) &mdash; Ben Affleck will direct a stand-alone "<span>Batman</span>" movie, says Warner Bros. chairman and CEO Kevin Tsujihara.</p>
<p>Affleck portrayed the caped crusader in this year's "<span>Batman</span> v Superman: Dawn of Justice" and had been rumored to be the studio's top choice to helm the film. Tsujihara confirmed they were moving forward with him in the director's seat Tuesday at CinemaCon, an annual gathering of theater owners in Las Vegas.</p>
<p>The stand-alone <span>Batman</span> feature is part of Warner Bros. plans for an expanded DC Comics cinematic universe, similar to that of the Disney and Marvel collaboration. Warner Bros. has at least 10 features in the works, including "Suicide Squad," ''Wonder Woman" and "Justice League." Unsurprisingly, those films comprised a major portion of Warner Bros.' presentation, signaling that the studio is moving forward energetically with its original plans despite reports that perhaps "<span>Batman</span> v Superman" is not performing as well at the box office as the studio would have liked.</p>
<p>Affleck, who is also directing "Live By Night" for the studio, made an appearance with Amy Adams, who plays Lois Lane. He confirmed that both would be joining Zack Snyder's "Justice League," which is currently in production in London.</p>
<p>"Suicide Squad" director David Ayer and stars Will Smith and Margot Robbie were on hand as well to hype the supervillains gone straight pic, which launches on Aug. 5 with intense footage focusing heavily on Robbie's Harley Quinn.</p>
<p>Warner Bros. also trotted out stars and footage from a number of their upcoming films including the Harry Potter spinoff "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," ''The Lego <span>Batman</span> Movie," the Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling comedy "The Nice Guys," and the Emilia Clarke romantic drama "Me Before You."</p>
<p>But beyond the individual films, a big focus was the studio's ongoing commitment to its filmmakers and the specialness of theatrical presentation.</p>
<p>The threat of The Screening Room, a proposed at-home viewing experience of first-run movies, has loomed large over the annual conference where theater owners come not just to check out the new studio slates and mingle with stars, but to see the latest technologies that promise to enhance the theatrical experience for audiences. Major filmmakers like Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson have come out in support of the service, but the industry on the whole remains divided.</p>
<p>"I assure you we are not going to let a third party or middle man come between us," Tsujihara told the audience of exhibitors. "When there are new technologies ... we will explore them with each of you. We know the status quo is not an option."</p>
<p>Not every studio has taken a hard stand. On Monday, "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" director J.J. Abrams &mdash; a Screening Room backer &mdash; urged the conference to be open-minded about innovations.</p>
<p>"Hangover" director Todd Phillips on Tuesday, however, came out strongly against the idea of the Screening Room without mentioning it directly while promoting his new Jonah Hill and Miles Teller comedy "War Dogs."</p>
<p>"Why are we in such a rush to turn movies into television? It doesn't make sense to me. Movies are special," Phillips said. "We need to do everything we can to protect that part of the experience."</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/ben-affleck-direct-star-new-batman-movie-2016-4#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/income-state-top-one-percent-salary-map-2016-11">Here's how much you need to make to be in the top 1% of every state</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/ben-affleck-almost-said-no-to-batman-2016-4Ben Affleck explains why he almost said no to 'Batman'http://www.businessinsider.com/ben-affleck-almost-said-no-to-batman-2016-4
Fri, 01 Apr 2016 10:29:55 -0400Anjelica Oswald
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/56fe7fba52bcd01a008ba196-635-476/screen%20shot%202016-04-01%20at%2010.02.27%20am.png" alt="ben affleck" data-mce-source="TBS"></p><p>Ben Affleck took some convincing to accept the role of the caped crusader in "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice." </p>
<p>During an appearance on Thursday's "Conan," the actor described his first reaction to receiving the phone call from director Zack Snyder. </p>
<p>When he was thinking the movie would portray the superhero's origin story, Affleck said, "I'm not that Batman."</p>
<p>But Snyder's description changed his mind.</p>
<p>"Zack was like, 'No, no, no. This guy's older and he's really f--ked up and he's broken down and he's on the edge of moral bankruptcy,'" Affleck said.</p>
<p>"I'm clearly your man. Say no more," the actor joked. </p>
<p>Affleck said he was excited to portray the Frank Miller version of Batman.</p>
<p>As for his Superman costar, Henry Cavill, Cavill missed his initial call for "Man of Steel" because he was playing "World of Warcraft."</p>
<p><strong>Watch the video below:</strong></p>
<p><div>
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://teamcoco.com/embed/v/93691#playlist=x;eyJ0b3RhbCI6ODIxOSwidHlwZSI6InJlY2VudCIsImlkIjpudWxsfQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/archer-best-jokes-2016-3" >The stars of 'Archer' reveal their favorite running jokes on TV's best spy comedy</a></strong></p>
<p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/suicide-squad-reshoots-2016-3" >'Suicide Squad' is getting an expensive reshoot to make it more fun — here's why</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/ben-affleck-almost-said-no-to-batman-2016-4#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/batman-v-superman-is-a-trainwreck-2016-3">'Batman v Superman' is a complete trainwreck, and director Zack Snyder is to blame</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/best-worst-ben-affleck-movies-2016-3No, 'Batman v Superman' isn't Ben Affleck's worst movie — this was the actor's lowest pointhttp://www.businessinsider.com/best-worst-ben-affleck-movies-2016-3
Thu, 31 Mar 2016 12:09:00 -0400Jason Guerrasio
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/55ba2916371d22462c8b8f1f-1052-789/ben affleck as batman final.jpg" alt="ben affleck as batman final" data-mce-source="YouTube/Warner Bros." /></p><p>Chances are you have some opinion about the body of work of Ben Affleck.</p>
<p>He has been inescapable. The actor has close to 50 credits to his name over a career that has quite a few highs and as many lows.</p>
<p>And in a career not lacking for sharp criticism (whether over his questionable ascent to leading-man roles or his work opposite onetime fianc&eacute;e Jennifer Lopez), his latest dive into superhero-dom, "Batman v Superman," must be giving him flashbacks of earlier critical pans.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/sad-ben-affleck-batman-v-superman-reviews-2016-3">Sad Ben Affleck</a> shouldn't worry, though. He still hasn't topped his worst. Here are Ben Affleck's worst &mdash; and to be fair, best &mdash; performances in his career:</p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/batman-actors-ranked-2016-3" >RANKED: Every actor who's played Batman, from best to worst</a></strong></p>
<h3>WORST: 5. "Reindeer Games" (2000)</h3>
<img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/56e846ef52bcd01f7b8b640e-400-300/worst-5-reindeer-games-2000.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p>In what can be explained only as a favor to the Weinsteins for making "Good Will Hunting" (this was released by the company's genre arm, Dimension), Affleck stars in this campy thriller/love story in which he plays an ex-con who is forced into robbing a casino. &nbsp;</p></p>
<br/><br/><h3>WORST: 4. "Surviving Christmas" (2004)</h3>
<img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/56e8508691058423008b67b1-400-300/worst-4-surviving-christmas-2004.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p>When a movie with "Christmas" in the title comes out in October, you know something is wrong. In fact, this comedy starring&nbsp;Affleck as a millionaire who spends Christmas in the house he grew up in (along with the family that currently lives there) was supposed to come out around Christmas 2003, but it got pushed back.</p>
<p>We're guessing test screenings weren't favorable, because there's a reason you don't see Affleck in comedies like these anymore: He's just not good at them.</p></p>
<br/><br/><h3>WORST: 3. "Runner Runner" (2013)</h3>
<img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/52274f37eab8ea6556edd90f-400-300/worst-3-runner-runner-2013.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p>It's understandable why Affleck was drawn to the role of a crooked entrepreneur who runs an offshore betting site: He's a big fan of poker. But why Justin Timberlake or anyone else followed along is anyone's guess. Perhaps because the movie was written by the same guys who did "Rounders,"&nbsp;but the end result this time is a messy story with laughable dramatic moments.</p></p>
<br/><br/><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/best-worst-ben-affleck-movies-2016-3#/#worst-2-gigli-2003-4">See the rest of the story at Business Insider</a> http://www.businessinsider.com/sad-ben-affleck-reviews-batman-v-superman-2016-3'Batman v Superman' isn't getting great reviews — but everyone loves 'Sad Affleck'http://www.businessinsider.com/sad-ben-affleck-reviews-batman-v-superman-2016-3
Fri, 25 Mar 2016 13:38:09 -0400Chris Snyder
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<p class="embed-spacer">The first reviews are out for the highly anticipated "Batman v Superman," and they aren't very good. One of them goes so far as to call it the "'Showgirls' of superhero films." When asked about the critics' response to the film in a recent interview with Yahoo Movies UK, Ben Affleck look really, really sad. And thus a meme was born.</p>
<p class="embed-spacer"><em>Produced by <a href="http://www.techinsider.io/author/chris-snyder">Chris Snyder</a></em></p>
<p class="embed-spacer"><strong>Follow TI:</strong> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/techinsider/">On Facebook</a></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/sad-ben-affleck-reviews-batman-v-superman-2016-3#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/sad-ben-affleck-batman-v-superman-reviews-2016-3Ben Affleck's depressing reaction to bad 'Batman v Superman' reviews says everythinghttp://www.businessinsider.com/sad-ben-affleck-batman-v-superman-reviews-2016-3
Fri, 25 Mar 2016 11:18:00 -0400Kirsten Acuna
<p><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/56f546aedd0895f7388b47d1-1917-951/ben-affleck-henry-cavill%20.png" border="0" alt="ben affleck henry cavill " data-mce-source="Warner Bros."></p><p>Reviews for "Batman v Superman" have been pretty awful. Currently, the film is sitting at <a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/batman_v_superman_dawn_of_justice/">30% on Rotten Tomatoes</a>. That's not the greatest news for Warner Bros. <a href="http://www.techinsider.io/dc-superhero-movie-schedule-2016-1">because it's set to kick off a huge franchise for the studio</a>.</p>
<p>Since reviews started coming out Tuesday evening, stars from the film and director Zack Snyder <a href="http://www.techinsider.io/batman-v-superman-stars-defend-movie-2016-3">have gone on the defensive</a> saying this movie's not for critics. It's for fans.</p>
<p>Fans are especially latching onto Ben Affleck's response to reviews in particular. Affleck has a lot at stake with "BvS." He previously played Daredevil in 2003, a role which was critically panned. Stepping back into a superhero suit probably wasn't easy for the 43-year-old actor.</p>
<p>During an <a href="http://www.techinsider.io/batman-v-superman-stars-defend-movie-2016-3">interview with Yahoo! Movies UK</a>, both Henry Cavill (Superman) and Affleck were asked to share their thoughts on the film's negative reviews.</p>
<p>While Cavill effortlessly stays positive about fan reactions to the film, Affleck goes silent before agreeing with Cavill at the end.</p>
<p>One fan took <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwXfv25xJUw&amp;app=desktop">a small snippet of the interview</a> to hone in on Affleck's response. Since uploading it to YouTube Thursday, it has been watched over 700,000 times.</p>
<p>You can actually see the moment joy is sucked out of Ben Affleck's face when asked how he feels about critic response to the film.</p>
<p><img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/56f546aedd0895f7388b47d2-/affleck-sad.gif" border="0" alt="ben affleck sad" data-mce-source="Yahoo! Movies"></p>
<p>From there, the video zooms in on Affleck's reaction as Simon &amp; Garfunkel's "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fWyzwo1xg0">The Sounds of Silence</a>" plays in the background.</p>
<p><img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/56f546aedd0895f7388b47d3-/sad-ben-affleck.gif" border="0" alt="sad ben affleck" data-mce-source="Yahoo! Movies"></p>
<p>If you've seen the movie, it's a little tough to watch, especially since Affleck's portrayal of the Dark Knight is one of the best things about it. His darker take on the character is one of the best adaptations of the Caped Crusader on screen.</p>
<p>People are already starting to remix the sad Affleck video on YouTube. There's a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRCOKUWTDPA">"Good Will Hunting" one with a voice-over from Robin William</a>s and there's a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJvxEfNW7Ho">"Daredevil" one</a>, too.</p>
<p>Check out the video below:</p>
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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/cwXfv25xJUw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></div><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/sad-ben-affleck-batman-v-superman-reviews-2016-3#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/neil-degrasse-tyson-batman-v-superman-2016-3">Neil deGrasse Tyson reveals how Batman can really beat Superman</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/batman-v-superman-reviews-2016-3Critics brutally took down 'Batman v Superman' — here are the problems they had with ithttp://www.businessinsider.com/batman-v-superman-reviews-2016-3
Fri, 25 Mar 2016 10:40:30 -0400Jason Guerrasio
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/56f539dc910584155c8b8999-1280-960/batman v superman art wb.jpg" alt="batman v superman art wb" data-mce-source="Warner Bros" /></p><p>Though "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" will most likely make a lot of money this weekend at the box office (projections of about <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/batman-v-superman-bad-reviews-box-office-2016-3">$160 million</a>), most critics didn't enjoy the 2-1/2-hour battle between Batman (Ben Affleck) and Superman (Henry Cavill).</p>
<p>A big reason for that? A lot of the movie doesn't deliver on what the title promises. But there are also a lot of other issues.</p>
<p>With a rating of only <a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/batman_v_superman_dawn_of_justice/" target="_blank">30%</a> on the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, this was not how the film's studio, Warner Bros., was hoping to launch one of its biggest movies of the year, which will be followed by <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/dc-superhero-movie-schedule-2016-1">other franchise entries from DC Comics</a>.</p>
<p>So before you throw down your money on the movie this weekend, let us tell you the problems that critics had with it.</p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/batman-v-superman-box-office-prediction-2016-3" >Here's how much 'Batman v Superman' needs to make to be considered a success</a></strong></p>
<h3>The movie finds no joy in itself.</h3>
<img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/568aac92c08a809b088b690a-400-300/the-movie-finds-no-joy-in-itself.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p>Taking a page from the "Dark Knight" franchise, director Zack Snyder attempts to make a movie that is very, very serious. And critics didn't buy it.</p>
<p>"There's zero humor or self-deprecation, as there was in Joss Whedon's pitch-perfect 'The Avengers'; no performance of unlikely depth, like the one Heath Ledger pulled off in 'The Dark Knight'; and no animating spirit of decency, a trait Christopher Reeve's Superman had in spades," <a href="http://www.timeout.com/us/film/batman-v-superman-dawn-of-justice" target="_blank">Time Out New York</a> writes.</p>
<p>And <a href="http://www.indiewire.com/article/heres-the-problem-with-batman-v-superman-dawn-of-justice-review-20160322" target="_blank">Indiewire</a> points out a major disappointment of our expectations: "It takes roughly 90 minutes for 'Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice' to justify its title, and another 30 to establish it's a red herring."</p>
<p><a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/batman-v-superman-dawn-justice-877477" target="_blank">The Hollywood Reporter</a> questions any collaboration between the two comic-book characters going forward: "It's hard to say what ought to happen between Batman and Superman in the future, even, indeed, if they actually should share the screen again."</p></p>
<br/><br/><h3>This version of Superman isn't likable.</h3>
<img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/56f14ff252bcd023008b7f70-400-300/this-version-of-superman-isnt-likable.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p>This is Henry Cavill's second time playing the character, following 2013's "Man of Steel," and many critics have been turned off by a Kal-El who seems more jaded than how we've seen the character portrayed in the past.</p>
<p>"I would have given anything to watch Clark Kent open up his shirt, to reveal that big 'S,' then go off to save the day as the music swells. But this Superman isn't that Superman," <a href="http://uproxx.com/movies/batman-v-superman-dawn-of-justice-review/" target="_blank">Uproxx</a>&nbsp;writes.</p>
<p>The <a href="http://nypost.com/2016/03/22/ben-affleck-unsuccessfully-dons-the-batsuit-in-bloated-batman-v-superman/" target="_blank">New York Post</a> believes, "Cavill is stuck with a character who spends far too much time reacting to others, whether it's to Batman's taunts or the romantic overtures of Lois Lane (Amy Adams)."</p>
<p>Meanwhile,&nbsp;the <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/movies/ct-batman-v-superman-movie-review-20160322-column.html" target="_blank">Chicago Tribune</a> thinks Cavill is "as narcissistic a Superman as you'll ever see."</p></p>
<br/><br/><h3>Director Zack Snyder is more interested in blowing things up than telling a story.</h3>
<img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/56eaeead9105841c008b70b8-400-300/director-zack-snyder-is-more-interested-in-blowing-things-up-than-telling-a-story.jpg" alt="" />
<p><p>The direction by Snyder, responsible for previous comic book adaptations like "300" and "The Watchmen," is getting a lot of the blowback. Many critics felt he was too focused on the visuals in "Batman v Superman."</p>
<p>"Although director Zack Snyder is a great visualist, all he has here is pretty pictures and giant (and confusing) action sequences," <a href="http://www.nj.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2016/03/batman_v_superman_dawn_of_justice_review_not_so_su.html" target="_blank">NJ.com</a>&nbsp;said.</p>
<p>"Snyder is not without skills, or ideas," the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/movies/ct-batman-v-superman-movie-review-20160322-column.html" target="_blank">Chicago Tribune</a>&nbsp;writes, "but when a critic finds himself at odds with almost every aspect of a director's visual approach to material like this, material like this becomes pretty joyless."</p></p>
<br/><br/><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/batman-v-superman-reviews-2016-3#/#the-movie-is-frustratingly-confusing-and-doesnt-go-anywhere-4">See the rest of the story at Business Insider</a>